December 2011 Readback

Luxury Beechcraft Interiors

Hawker Beechcraft is incorporating new interiors in its Beechcraft Baron and Bonanza airplanes. The new interiors improve cabin comfort and functionality, and feature an automatic climate-control system and an LED external lighting package. The new features will be phased into production in the second quarter of 2012. "This program upgrades the comfort, styling and functionality of the current Baron and Bonanza aircraft to a level similar to that found in top-of-the-line vehicles," said Jim Holcombe, Vice President, Beechcraft Marketing. "We are accomplishing this by adding contemporary design elements, cleaner lines and improved ergonomics to the interior for a more blended, form-fitting look." Visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.

Hilton Is Connected

Hilton Software announced support for Aspen Avionics' Connected Panel. Their iPad app, WingX Pro7, will include comprehensive interoperability when Aspen Avionics' Connected Panel becomes available for installation by the end of this year. Aspen Avionics' Connected Panel includes hardware, software and application components that provide two-way wireless communications between panel avionics and personal smart devices to streamline flight-related activities. "The integration of WingX Pro7 with the Connected Panel's open- hardware architecture and application programming interface adds tremendous value, ease of use and error-free avionics programming," said Dr. Goldstein, CEO of Hilton Software LLC. "By combining WingX Pro7's unique split-view, terrain overlays, in-flight weather and Synthetic Vision with Aspen Avionics' new Connected Panel, WingX Pro7 achieves a level of mobile-avionics performance that is unparalleled in the industry." Visit www.hiltonsoftware.com and www.aspenavionics.com.

LSA Transition

SportairUSA is offering free transition flight training and a free aircraft safety check to purchasers of used Sting, Sirius and Savage light-sport aircraft. "We have always provided free transition flight and ground-school training to our new aircraft buyers," said Bill Canino, CEO of SportairUSA. "To help maintain the safety of the fleet as our aircraft enter the pre-owned market, we have decided to offer the same service, plus a free aircraft safety check, to buyers of used Sting, Sirius and Savage airplanes." Visit www.sportair.aero.

Flight Guide App Update

Airguide Publications released the Flight Guide iEFB v4.1 iPad App, an update that adds advanced flight planning, an advanced moving map and the ability to display traffic through integration with the Zaon PCAS XRX. The XRX can be connected to the iPad using the Flight Guide FLY-Wi GPS, which comes with an external WAAS GPS antenna and an auxiliary port where the XRX can be plugged into. Visit www.zaon.aero and www.flightguide.com.

Lightspeed Aviation Foundation

For the second year, the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation has presented $10,000 checks to the five aviation charities receiving the most votes from pilots as their favorite among 20 finalists. This year's recipients are the Civil Air Patrol, Mission Aviation Fellowship, The Ninety-Nines, Recreational Aviation Foundation and Wings of Hope. The organization also awarded a check for $12,000 to the AOPA Foundation. Allan Schrader, President of the Foundation, says, "Last year, our grants totaled more than $100,000, and it is truly amazing to know just how far our contribution can go toward helping these worthy aviation charities achieve their goals." Visit www.lightspeedaviationfoundation.org.

New Cirrus CEO

Cirrus cofounder Dale Klapmeier has been named Chief Executive Officer of the company. In accepting the new role, Klapmeier commented: "At Cirrus, we are passionate about airplanes and flying, and I am passionate about this company. Along with our new owners, our commitment is stronger than ever to the same goals and ideals that we had when we started the company more than 25 years ago. And that goal is to make the dream of flight a reality for more people, both in the U.S. and around the world. Today, we are at the beginning of the next chapter of the reinvention of personal transportation." Visit www.cirrusaircraft.com.

Aspen Avionics Syn Vis

Aspen Avionics's Evolution Synthetic Vision (ESV) is now shipping for PFDs and MFDs installed on Class I and II aircraft. ESV is available with Software Version 2.4.1 and later as a field-loadable software upgrade through Aspen's authorized dealer network. The price for enabling ESV is $2,995. "We opened the order books at the beginning of September in anticipation of this approval, and we now have a significant order backlog," says Brad Hayden, Aspen's Vice President of Marketing. "Our customers understand the safety and situational-awareness benefits of synthetic vision, and we know they are eager to take advantage of this system enhancement." The current Jeppesen database coverage enables ESV over the continental U.S., and a planned Jeppesen terrain database update will expand the ESV operating area to full worldwide coverage. Visit www.aspenavionics.com.

Vaughn College And Redbird

Five days of tests in the University of Washington Kirsten Wind Tunnel produced positive results for the Stratos light jet. The 1⁄5-scale aluminum, polycarbonate and composite model was subjected to more than 90 runs, with focus on airflow over the fuselage, wings and vertical tail. Development of the Stratos continues with parallel structures and aerodynamics development programs. The programs are focused on extensive stress analysis of the fuselage. Ultimately, all primary structural components will be built and load-tested prior to the construction of the first prototype. The company is seeking investors, and expects to have two flying prototype aircraft within the next two years. Visit www.stratosaircraft.com.

PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Rugged Flashlight

Sporty's new AOPA Flashlight uses shatterproof LEDs that last more than 110,000 hours, and a sturdy aluminum body that can withstand drops. Independent switches control three red and three white LEDs, so you don't have to scroll through multiple settings. Using two included AA batteries, the AOPA Flashlight provides up to 80 hours of light. It measures seven inches long and weighs 18 ounces, and comes with a limited lifetime guarantee. Contact: www.sportys.com.

2012 Warbird Calendar

Paul Bowen, noted aerial photographer, released his 2012 Air To Air Warbirds calendar featuring various World War II planes. The images were computer enhanced to add an artistic dimension to the already stunning images. Contact: www.airtoair.net.

2012 FAR/AIM

ASA's 2012 FAR/AIM, FAR for Flight Crew, and FAR for Aviation Maintenance Technicians are now available. The editions are available in several formats including softcover book, eBook, eBundles and apps for Apple mobile devices. They include the most current regulations, AIM and TSA rules. In all books, the changes are marked clearly for quick reference. FAR/AIM Series Updates are available online as free downloads and/or through a free email subscription service for automatic notification when a rule has changed. Contact: www.asa2fly.com.

Custom Mount

Sporty's Custom RAM mount cradle secures your SP-400 radio to the yoke. The SP-400 slides into the base, and the clip locks into place. The RAM Mount features sturdy aluminum construction, a durable powder-coat finish and infinitely adjustable rubber ball joints. Contact: www.sportys.com.

New Headset

The new Beyerdynamic HS 800 Digital headset uses DANR (Digital Adaptive Noise Reduction) to combine the advantages of feedback and feed-forward ANR, which allows for adaptability to high-precision frequency peaks. Cushions are upholstered in soft leather, and the ear padding is viscoelastic, which distributes pressure evenly. Three versions are available: the version with the two standard jack plugs; the HS 800 Digital Rotor with spiral cable and U-174/U jack plug for helicopters; and the HS 800 Digital 6pin that has a six-pin Lemo connector and provides the electrical system voltage to get along without batteries. Contact: www.beyerdynamic.com.

YokePad

Looking for a way to mount your iPad within the cockpit? Compatible with both the iPad and the iPad 2, the iPad YokePad is manufactured out of aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum. Multiple adjustment points allow for it to work with a wide variety of aircraft. Contact: www.pilotmall.com.

The Complete Private Pilot

Bob Gardner's The Complete Private Pilot, now in its new 11th Edition, provides tips and techniques, checklists and mnemonic devices, as well as advice from the author's personal experience, helping readers not only prepare for the FAA Knowledge Exam, but also for the cockpit. Written in a conversational yet concise style, the textbook allows students to quickly grasp the subjects presented, pass the required tests and checkrides, and have an operational understanding of flight they can take to the real world as a newly minted pilot. Contact: www.asa2fly.com.